Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash The ballots have been cast and counted, and as the saying goes, the dust begins to settle now. As I reflect spiritually, not politically, on the past couple of weeks of early voting and Election Day voting, I find myself pondering the historical value of being able to exercise the right to vote. In the Book of Common Prayer, page 822, 24. For an Election, we have a prayer that begins where Christians ultimately stand in the privilege of vo

November 2, 2026

A Cloud of Witnesses - pencil sketch As the seasons change here in North Carolina, October brings familiar sights, sounds, and smells. The leaves turn color, the leaf blowers whir, and the air smells like caramel and pumpkin spice. The days also become darker and cooler. I love unpacking my favorite sweaters and sweatshirts this time of year. As late autumn's chill settles in, the Church celebrates All Saints’ Day on November 1st, a feast that honors the countless faithful p

In 2012, I found myself in the Episcopal Church. I remember the intimidating sound of words I had never heard before echoing through the pews, the pulpit, and the halls. Then, after being confirmed in 2013, someone popped the question: "Would you like to serve as a Lay Eucharistic Minister, Tara?" My mouth hung slightly open. I was puzzled by the title and wondered if I needed to go to school to earn it. The Episcopal Church, in its "Catholic-Lite" form, can be a little confu

October 31, 2026, 3-5pm at the front lawn of All Saints Episcopal Church Join us and bring your friends and neighbors for a fun trunk or treat event.

Bathing in sunlight and gazing at mountain peaks that looked as if they were brushed with oil onto the sky, I found myself pondering an unexpected lesson from this year's clergy retreat: God often dwells in the moments we barely notice. Each year, the Diocese of Western North Carolina gathers clergy and staff for a fall retreat. Every retreat is different. Sometimes a speaker teaches on a particular topic; other times, a theme guides our time together. This year, our speaker

Surely, it is God who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid. For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, and he will be my Savior. One morning, as I walked the carefully made labyrinth at All Saints, I prayed the Canticle from Morning Prayer, The First Song of Isaiah, BCP p. 86. I didn’t have the song memorized, so I carried my cellphone, its prayer app glowing with that morning’s readings. As I moved along the winding path, the Canticle unfolded for me in a

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash I remember the first time someone told me our church was going to fast. As a relatively new Christian, the concept fascinated me, but it also flooded my mind with questions. Why fast? Does going without food make prayer more powerful? Does it somehow force God's hand to bring about an answer faster? In our daily life, we are driven by instant gratification and quick fixes. This makes it easy to approach spiritual disciplines with the speedy m

As I walked along a secluded, quiet forest trail on a crisp fall morning, I remembered how familiar this path felt. It had become a part of me; my identity was wrapped in it. If it’s okay to say, it felt comfortable. It was simple and steady, and the rhythm of my steps upon the soft pine and sand made everything clear. But after some time, the trail opened into a small clearing, and there I landed—where I didn’t expect—at a fork in the road. Two paths stretched out ahead of m

Al Bright, A Master's Piece, 1986, oil on canvas – Taubman Museum of Art - Roanoke, VA My initial plans were to go hiking in Virginia, but thunderstorms forced me to change them. The irony was finding inspiration about wide-open spaces within the enclosed space of an art museum. I had never been to Roanoke, Virginia before, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much history and culture the area offered. Visiting the Taubman Art Museum turned out to be a perfect, unexpected

July 26, 2026

Vacation Bible School, July 18, 2026 It as a great event co-hosted by All Saints and St. Marks. Thanks to all the volunteers!

“Festina lente,” Latin for “make haste slowly,” is one of those phrases like Carpe Diem that stays with you even if you don’t really know Latin. For this moment, it speaks directly to where I am. It’s a very busy week, and I’m applying a slow, methodical practice of reflection to share with you. This will be brief, but sometimes brevity is exactly what we need because it is better than nothing at all. I had a quiet nudge this week to look more closely at the human condition a

As we recently celebrated 250 years of American history, I found myself reflecting on a book I picked up while hiking in Utah: John Wesley Powell’s The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons. I’ll admit, the first few chapters were hard to get through. Powell wrote like the scientist he was; precise barometer readings, detailed weather descriptions, notes on Indigenous history, and accounts of the survival and loss of his boats. Not much emotion, not much narrative

Steven Maggese and I traveled to Rutherfordton bright and early on June 27th. We arrived a little early and enjoyed a cup of java at Main Street Coffee and Ice Cream in the quaint downtown area. The ice cream selections looked so delectable that I was tempted, but it was only 8:30 in the morning, so I held back. With the last drops of coffee warming us, we made our way to St. Francis, where a warm welcome awaited. Stepping into the main hall, my eyes landed on a table brimmin

Last week, I retreated to the rolling hills and picturesque landscape at Claggett Center in Maryland to attend the College for Congregational Development. The serene environment provided space to delve deeper into church life. When I registered for this time, I wasn’t sure what to expect. After each didactic plenary session, my interest and enthusiasm grew as I worked in breakout groups to practice applying the models. As the week unfolded, the centering questions of “Who are

Holidays invite us to recognize, commemorate, and cherish what feels like a gift or a blessing. When I recently wrote about Mother’s Day, I explored how complex the holiday can be for many people. Now, we find ourselves at Father’s Day, which carries its own heavy significance. Relationships with father figures are rarely straightforward. They are a patchwork of shifting seasons, layered emotions, and vivid memories. As I researched the history of Father’s Day, I was struck b

Collect for the Feast of St. Barnabas: Grant, O God, that we may follow the example of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well­being of your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Saint Barnabas — Sandro Botticelli, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons This w

This month marks the 56th celebration of Pride Month, a time to honor the LGBTQ+ community and acknowledge its history. I do not identify as LGBTQ+, but I am deeply connected through friendships and ministry. I want to honor Pride Month with a reflection that stands with those who have been marginalized and affirms their dignity as human beings. My understanding of the phrase Love is Love began in high school, shaped by a man whose brilliance was overshadowed by the controver

The feel of summer has already pressed in upon us here in humid North Carolina. After a couple of months of doing a Winter‑to‑Spring dance, it seems that summer has finally settled in for good. I will admit—I love the generous rainfalls this season brings, at least when they are plentiful without becoming torrential. Rainy afternoon - Gastonia, North Carolina Have you made any summer plans yet? As for me, I’m hoping to carve out pockets of time for some creative, restorative